Hundreds Brave Rain to Welcome QM2

Hundreds of people braved the wind and rain today to welcome the world’s biggest and most expensive cruise liner, the British-flagged Queen Mary 2, as it arrived at its new home port of Southampton.

A flotilla of small boats and jet-skis also accompanied the Cunard-owned Queen Mary 2 as it arrived from the French shipyard where construction was recently completed.

The liner docked at the Queen Elizabeth 2 Terminal at Southampton at 1pm today.

The surrounding docks and waterfront paths were lined with people wanting a glimpse of the largest liner ever built.

The musical anthems Land of Hope and Glory and Rule Britannia were being played on board the ship as it approached the terminal and the ship’s horns were blown to mark its arrival in the city’s waters.

Jets of water were also sprayed 50ft into the air from accompanying boats as a welcome parade.

John Brown, 66, a retired carpenter who had travelled from Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, to see the ship’s arrival today, said: “It’s brilliant.

“The size of it is so impressive. This is a real moment in maritime history.

“I have been on the QE2 before but this is something different and the first chance I get I will be on it.”

The £550 million ship is to be officially named at Southampton by the Queen on January 8 and four days later the vessel will leave on its sold-out maiden passenger voyage to Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

The official welcome for the arrival of the 150,000 tonne ship was tempered today, according to owners Cunard, out of respect for 15 people who died after a walkway connecting the ship with the dock collapsed at the St Nazaire shipyard in western France.

The tragedy is expected to be referred to in next month’s naming ceremony which will take place before more than 2,000 guests.

During the journey from France to its arrival in Southampton, the 1,132ft vessel has spent a period at sea to allow the 1,253 strong crew to familiarise themselves with the ship.

Featuring 1,310 cabins, including four royal suites and six penthouses, the QM2, which can carry 1,620 passengers, will be capable of speeds up to 34mph. It will stand 234ft high from keel to funnel.

In April, the new ship will replace the QE2 on the transatlantic run. To mark the changeover, both the QM2 and the QE2 will sail together from New York to Southampton with the QE2 then reverting to other passenger duties.

On board, the president of Cunard Line Pamela Conover today appointed the captain of the Queen Mary 2, Captain Ron Warwick, the commodore of the Cunard fleet.

THE BIGGEST cruise liner ever built today arrived at her new home port of Southampton, welcomed by crowds who had braved the fog and rain.

The Queen Mary 2 - which cost a whopping £550million - was watched by hundreds as she sailed in to the city's waters.

The luxury vessel was ushered in to the accompaniment of "Land of Hope and Glory", horns blowing and water spraying 50ft in the air to mark her arrival.

A flotilla of small boats and jet-skis escorted the boat as she arrived from the French shipyard where construction was recently completed.

The QM2 will make her maiden voyage after her official naming by the Queen in front of 2,000 guests on January 8.

The ceremony is likely to be a low-key event out of respect for the 15 people who died after a walkway connecting the ship with the dock collapsed at the St Nazaire shipyard in western France in November.

The liner eventually set out from the French shipyard for its voyage to Southampton on 22 December, spending a period at sea to allow the crew to familiarise themselves with the vessel.

Four days after her christening, the 1,132ft ship will leave for Florida on her sold-out maiden passenger voyage.

After visiting Fort Lauderdale, she'll winter in the Caribbean before docking at Rio in time for the carnival.

In April, the QM2 will replace the QE2 on transatlantic trips. To mark the occasion, the two royal sisters will sail from New York to Southampton together, before the QE2 reverts to other passenger duties.

The luxury vessel contains 1,310 cabins, including four royal suites and six penthouses. Passengers will enjoy a massive range of facilities, including basketball court, ballroom, spa, planetarium and drive-in cinema.